Dubai-based Indian businessman buys air tickets for 13 prisoners

A Dubai-based Indian businessman, Joginder Singh Salaria, who is the chairman and managing director of Pehal International Transport and the founder of Pehal Charitable Trust, reportedly bought one-way tickets for 13 foreign prisoners, including from Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, and Afghanistan to return home after they were released from a prison on October 14. The tickets were reportedly purchased in coordination with Dubai Police authorities. 

Salaria said, "Unfortunately, the men could not afford to pay for the air tickets. Dubai Police works with PCT Humanity on several charitable activities, including blood donation campaigns. Now, we are providing travel assistance to 13 people from different countries so they can fly home to meet with their families." 

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"Police authorities provided us with a list of names of prisoners. Most of the convicts were jailed for committing minor crimes such as overstay cases and small disputes with their employers, etc. They did not have anyone to help them out”, he added

Salaria, who has been a UAE-resident since 1993, reached out to social workers in Pakistan through social networking sites. He claimed that the Dubai Police was very cooperative throughout the project. He is reportedly also known for installing hand pumps in Pakistan's South Eastern Sindh Province.

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Freedom for 17 prisoners

Another businessman just like Salaria helped with the freedom for 17 prisoners who couldn't afford bail money. Motilal Yadav, a businessman from Agra reportedly deposited Rs. 32,380 as the penalty amount to release the inmates on bail. The bail of the inmates was a gift he gave to the prisoners on the occasion of his 73rd birthday. According to the reports the inmates were booked in petty offenses and were in jail for an extended period as they were unable to pay for their bail despite being eligible to apply.

(With inputs from PTI)

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